The use and frequency of verbal and non-verbal praise in nurture groups |
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| Authors: | Maria Bani |
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| Institution: | 1. Warrington Children's and Young People's Services, Warrington Borough Council , England m.bani@warrington.gov.uk |
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| Abstract: | Nurture groups are a form of provision for children with social, emotional, behavioural and learning difficulties. The study examines the interactions between children and staff – in particular, the frequency and effects of verbal and non-verbal praise – and discusses how this contributes to its effectiveness as a positive intervention instrument for all children. Results from structured observations confirmed that interactions in four nurture groups were positive and likely to enhance the self-esteem of pupils. Staff in all nurture groups used a higher frequency of specific verbal praise compared to non-verbal praise, despite results from children's responses to praise revealing that nearly a half of the children responded to non-verbal praise by continuing with appropriate behaviours. An interesting and unexpected finding revealed that as time passed the frequency of both verbal and non-verbal praise reduced. The study highlights how the frequency of certain behaviours such as non-verbal praise can impact on children's behaviour. |
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| Keywords: | nurture groups praise self-esteem non-verbal praise |
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